William t



W. T. SALTBR.

FLDING BBDSTEAD.

(No Model.)

No. 303,056. Patented Aug. 5, 1884.

www MSQQM lin iranl drains .Barnier @einen VILLIAM T. SAUBER, OF NEVYORK, N. Y.

FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

CPECIFICATIOE'? forming part of Letters Patent No'. $503,056x datedAugust 5, 1884:.

Applicalion filed May 16, i883. (No model.) l

To ZZ whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, "WILLMM T. Sanrnn., of New York city, in the countyand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvementsin Bedsteads, of which the following is a specification.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification andrepresent what I consider the best meansof carrying out the invention.

Figure l is a perspective view of my im.4 proved bedstead in conditionfor use. Fig. 2 shows a central vertical section, and Fig. 3 a side viewsliowing the bedstead in its folded condition. Fig. 4 is a section on alarger scale.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures.

A is a stationary stand, certain portions be ing designated, whennecessary, by additional marks, as A', A2, Src. lt has a sulieientlywide base to rest firmly on'the door, an overhanging journal, A', oneach side at the top, an eye, A2, on a bolt or arm reaching down ward inthe middle, and an eye, A, on a bolt or arm reaching upward on each sideat the top.

B is the framing of the bedstead, certain portions being designated,when necessary, by ad ditional marks, as B', BZ, die.

B are bearings which rest on and embrace the journals A', respectively,and form joints on which the bedstead may be turned up and down, asrequired.

BL are bearings near the opposite end of the framing B, receivingsimilar, but smaller, j our nals, Gextending from a messbar, G, havinglegs C. An eye, G3, on a bolt or arm extending downward from theturning-bar C, is connected by a light but rigid link, D, with the eyeAi. This connecting-link D serves to keep the legs G always parallel tothe corresponding legs or uprights of the framing B.

B5 are eyes supported on bolts or arms eX- tending upward from the headof the frame B. They receive j ournals E', formed on the turnedout endsof a head-board, E, which may be a light frame of metal, as shown.

E2 are pivots, welded or otherwise firmly fixed, extending ont beyondthe sides of the head-board E. They are connected by links G with theeyes A3. Vlhen the frame is in the horizontal position for use, thelinks G hold the head-board or head-frame E in a nearly upright positionfor use. As the frame 5 is raised, the headboard E is, by the influenceofthe links G, kept nearly parallel to the upright stand A, and thusfolded out of the way.

'H H are straps which embrace the transverse bar at the head-frame B,and are` provided with loops H, adapted to receive and strongly supporta weight, l. A series of stout hooks, BL, are provided, extending inwardfrom the head and foot of the framing B. They support cylindricaltransverse bars J. The support for the person or persons using the bedis obtained b v long metallic springs M, certain portions of which willbe designated,when necessary, by additional marks, as MM M is thecentral and main portion. It eX- tends nearly straight a great portionof the length of tlieinterior of the frame B. Each end is peculiarlysecured. lt is coiled one or more times around the bar J, as indicatedat M2, and then a considerable projecting end extends :farther with atendency to an upward direction. The springs M are kept at the properdistance apart by transverse wires N, en-

gaged with the springs M. Eachwire N connects two springs, M, and allowsan easy joint, so that the springs M may each yield independently, thetransverse wires N forming iiexible and not rigid connections. Theyserve t0 maintain the central portions of the springs M at about uniformdistances apart under all conditions.

K K are transverse bars of steel or other suitable material,sufficiently thick to afford the requisite rigidity. The ends arereceived in shallow notches formed on the under side of brackets L,which are secured on the frame B by removable fastenings, as screws L.

Under the bodr of each bracket L, and between it and the frame B,linsert one or more shimming-pieces, P, by removing or exchanging whichthe height of the brackets L, and consequently the height of the rigidtransverse `bar K, may be changed. The bars K press strongly on theprojecting ends M3 of the springs. The effect is to greatly increase thesupporting-power of the'springs to sus- IOO tainthe -iveight of theperson or'persons occupying the bed. Raising or lowering ythe cross-barsK modifies the action of the springs M, lowering K, stiffening thesprings, and raising K, relaxing the springs. There is a tendency insprings to lose a portion of their elasticity by use. Then the bedsteadis overhauled after having been some time in use, shimmingfpieces l?should be put in, or, if some have previously been employed, more orthicker should be applied. The resetting of the screws L after theshimming-pieces are inserted or made thicker will hold the crossbars Klower, and by throwing up the central portions of the springs M highercompensate for the loss ci" elasticity. These adjustments can be made atrst or any time, so as to afford j ust the desired degree of elasticity.

Vhen there is no load resting on the springs M, the bars K may belreadily removed from under the brackets L and replaced again. This isof great convenience in case of repairing or renewing a spring.

To replace a spring which is broken or has otherwise failed, thedefective spring may be filed off, and the cross-bars K, being detachedfrom their positions under the brackets L, the entire crcss-bar. J, withits attached springs, may be raised out of the hooks BL and the springsshifted together to take the place of theremci ed one, a new springintroduced by applying Et on the ends ofthe bars K, and the whole againreturned to place. The eyes B, by being held up a considerable spaceabove the frame B, allow a considerable thickness for mattress,bed-clothes, pillows, or the like to be retained, if desired. The strapsH with their loops H avoid the necessity for boring holes or otherwiseweakening or marring the appearance of the frame B.

Vhat I have termed the head-board7 is adapted to serve its usualfunctions of supporting the bolster and pillows. The links D, inaddition to their function of supporting the head-board and causing itto fold and unfold as the bed is raised and lowered, serve also a usefulend in supporting the pillows and bolster against displacementlaterally.

Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions within widelimits. I can use round wires of steel or other suitable material inplace of the flat springs M. Vhen round wires are employed, two of thesprings M may be conveniently made from the same length of wire, the twobeing connected at one end, as indicated bym. There may be one or morebrackets or adjustable supports to hold down the central portions of thetransverse bars K. Stops may be provided, one of which should beremovable, to prevent the weightI frombe-l comin/g displaced endwise.

My bed may be used with or without a mattress. In many cases a thickblanket is all that is necessary over the springs.

I claim as my inventionl. In a folding bedstead, the hinged headboard E,in combination with the frame B, link G, and iixed stand A, all arrangedfor joint operation, substantially as herein speciA fied. .o

2. In a folding bedstead, the series of metal springs M, formed in oneor more coils at the points M2, in combination with the frame B,transverse cylindrical bars J, and transverse bars or stops K, arrangedto serve as herein specified.

3. The changeable brackets L and suitable fastening means, L', incombination with the frame B, transverse removable bars J and K, andsprings M M2 M3, arranged to adjust the stiffness of the springs,substantial] y as herein speciiied.

4. In a folding bedstead, the transverse connecting-Wires N, incombination with the longitudinal metallic springs M, the frame B, andmeans, as J K L, for holding the springs at the ends, all substantiallyas herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at New York city, this14th day of May, 1883, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' VILLIAM T. SALTER.

Witnesses: v

W. L. BENNEM, B. E.'D. STAFFORD.

